Which gland is responsible for producing the sex attractant pheromone in honeybees?

The mandibular gland is the source of the sex attractant pheromone in honeybees, specifically in queens. This pheromone plays a crucial role in the reproductive behavior of honeybees, particularly in attracting drones during mating flights. When a queen bee releases this pheromone, it signals her presence to male drones, guiding them to her for mating.

Understanding the function of the mandibular gland is important, as it not only produces the sex attractant pheromone but also other substances vital for the colony’s social structure and communication. The other glands mentioned, such as the hypopharyngeal gland, primarily produce royal jelly and other proteins for brood rearing; the salivary glands are involved in food processing and nest construction; and the wax glands are responsible for producing beeswax used in comb building. These glands have distinct functions that are essential for the colony's survival and development, highlighting the specialization of different glands in honeybee physiology.